Times of Trenton Letters to the Editor - Sept. 23

The good news is the two remaining American hikers jailed for more than two years in Iran are finally free, and an international incident was resolved through diplomacy and cash ransom (“American hikers freed in Iran begin trek home,” Sept. 22).

My question to the three intrepid hikers would be: What on Earth were you thinking, traveling to Iraq in these volatile times to hike in proximity to the Iranian border? They definitely earned a merit badge for poor judgment! I’d like to know why they put themselves in harm’s way in that region in the first place.

I am confident their relatives, friends and mentors had serious reservations about the trek. Our 50 states offer endless trails and vistas where the main danger might be a bear encounter, so I ask them to please choose their next itinerary wisely. May I suggest a return to college for a course in common sense?

-- Michael T. Serbin,
Hopewell Township

Michael Mancuso/The TimesThe Petty's Run excavation site located between the Old Barracks, left and State House, right.

When I became aware of the state’s plan to close the unearthed site and cover the historic creek bed, I immediately contacted Mr. Martin to offer Mercer County’s assistance in keeping the site open and accessible to the public as a historic landmark. Commissioner Martin’s shared belief that this historic creek bed should be preserved helped us put a plan into action.

I join the chorus of people who applaud him for shepherding the project, and thank his staff for their many hours of work behind the scenes. Preserving the historic jewels of Mercer County has been a priority during my tenure as county executive, and I appreciate Mr. Martin’s willingness to work cooperatively to save this latest gem.

Allowing the wealthy to keep more of their income does not translate into more prosperity for the middle class or more jobs. This is due to outsourcing and, to some extent, to automation.

Corporations are making record profits, but they are still not creating decent American jobs. Why would they, when it’s more profitable for them to use machines or very cheap labor in developing countries to increase output? In the absence of any reason to do otherwise, outsourcing will continue to reduce jobs, wages and benefits in America, until our labor force is at Third World wages. This is not something we should allow. We need middle-class prosperity more than profits for the few. There is a difference.

-- Ed Strong,
Hamilton

Let Palestinians negotiate a homeland

I am strongly opposed to allowing a Palestinian state to vote in the U.N. at this time. Long-lasting peace can only be achieved through serious and honest negotiations.

There needs to be a Palestinian homeland; however, the radical factions within the Palestinian Authority have as their mission the destruction of Israel. There also needs to be a Jewish homeland, a place with more than 3,000 years of history and direct ties to the area.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that if the Arabs lay down their guns, there will be peace, but if Israel lays down its guns, there will be no more Israel. This must always be kept in mind in any decision. Israel is the one stabilizing force in the region and is good for the world.

Palestinians have a right to a homeland; so do the Jews.

With all the other Middle East problems going on at this point, it is imperative that the U.S. put whatever pressure and full weight on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to make sure that he comes to the peace table and does not put forth a motion for statehood before the U.N.

-- Andrew Meyer,
Fort Washington, Pa.

Valley Road School site: Bigger isn’t always better

If the parties who are looking at the Valley Road School site were willing to focus on what they need rather than what they want (and the taxpayers clearly can’t afford), then the historic building can be saved – a win-win for all parties and the local taxpayer.

Here are the numbers:

1) Corner House has 3,000 square feet of usable space, but it wants a new 10,000-square-foot building. Does it really need to expand by 300 percent?

2) The rescue squad wants to expand from a reported 4,500 square feet to 20,000 square feet, four times more space than the squad has now. One wonders whether it really needs all of that space. What about using the township garage site or the hook and ladder site?

3) Does the fire department really need a fire museum? The fire department study suggests the town needs four basic pieces of equipment, and the current Witherspoon Street location has four bays. Perhaps the fire department could build extra bunk space and an extra training room on a second floor above the current building.

Given the recent trauma of revaluation in Princeton and an abysmal economy, we need to try harder. What is missing is a public dialogue among all the interested parties with a view toward adapting and improving the historic portion of the Valley Road School building.

-- Richard C. Woodbridge,
Princeton Township
The writer is a former member of the Princeton Borough Council and the Township Committee.

Mayor Tony Mack has said that the arts are one route for Trenton to attain a vibrant future, but his actions belie that. And now that TMS members have no access to the Trenton City Museum, it is clear that the city administration does not hold it in the regard it deserves.

The museum brings in visitors not just from the city and the surrounding communities, but from around New Jersey, neighboring states and even other countries. Attendance has skyrocketed through Director Brian Hill’s indefatigable efforts.
Now, the “Artists of Woodstock” exhibit, set to open this week, was canceled.

The unveiling early next year of all four monumental vases made by Trenton Potteries for the St. Louis World’s Fair, not seen together since 1904, will likely be canceled, as well. Possibly the four best pieces ever made in Trenton, three of the vases were acquired by other museums. The Brooklyn Museum’s has been on loan for many years to Ellarslie. Last year, the fourth vase was discovered at auction in California, where TMS purchased it. Work was undergoing to bring them together at Ellarslie (ellarslie.org/about/news/vase.htm).

In the absence of an accredited professional director, no other museum will entrust an irreplaceable portion of its collection to the hands of amateurs. Its insurance as well as prudence would forbid it.

Is that the future Trenton is pointing toward?

-- Dennis C. McGrath,
Germantown, Pa.
The writer is a former member of the board of trustees of the Trenton Museum Society.